History of the style
The emergence of fusion dates back to 1970 – 1990. It manifested itself not only in the interior, but also in other areas:
- In music (in 1970, various directions of jazz music emerged with the interweaving of ethnic motifs);
- In dance (dance aesthetics became more open and flexible, fusion dances could combine movements of folk, oriental and modern choreography);
- In cinematography;
- In cooking (unusual seasonings and spices are added to traditional dishes, they are served in a new artistic manner).
The style rapidly penetrated into various spheres of human activity, gaining more and more fans. Everything traditional was served with a different sauce, presented from a new point of view, uniting continents and nationalities. If fusion music arose in the 70s, then the style made its way into the interior at the end of the 20th century. Materials and decor from exotic countries have penetrated traditional interiors, giving them a spirit of freedom and liberated openness to everything new.
American designers were the first to master the fusion style in the interior. They created bold interiors, combining classics with ethnic motifs or baroque with hi-tech. At the same time, they filled the space with decor with Latin American, Chinese or African motifs. Thus, an upholstered chair with patterned fabric upholstery began to sit side by side with an unusual table with a mirrored tabletop and a rug in the shape of a leopard skin, a zebra, or simply with a geometric pattern.
In the 90s of the twentieth century, the concept of “fusion style in the interior” began to be heard more and more often. What it is? Translated from English, fusion means merger, alloy, synthesis. This definition began to be used for interiors that combine the incongruous. That is, in the interiors of houses, cafes, and hotels, designers increasingly mixed features of different styles, complementing them with decor and furniture from different nationalities.
For example, a classic bedroom interior with a comfortable bed, white walls and ceiling, and classic curtains was complemented with pop art color spots, a futuristic chandelier and an Egyptian bust. Furniture items that were completely incompatible at first glance acquired new meaning in their successful proximity to each other. They became an integral part of a single space.
Features of the style and its characteristic features
Fusion style is radically different from other interior styles. The main ideas of the style are:
- the use of antique furniture, which must be placed on a plain background;
- mandatory zoning of premises using various techniques, this may include different wall decoration and different color schemes;
- an antique statue combined with the most modern sofa;
- original wall decoration (this could be antique bronze figurines combined with animal skins and a bright multi-colored print).
Fusion style allows the use of elements of different styles in the design of one room.
These are just examples of room design that can give an idea of the fusion style in the interior. Its characteristic features are:
- Having impeccable taste. The main thing in a fusion interior is that any design decisions should be based not on the functionality of the interior, but solely on emotions. In this case, impeccable design taste is indispensable.
- Harmony in everything. Despite the fact that fusion style involves a combination of incompatible items, harmony should be visible in everything. This applies to color, materials, texture, and decor used.
- A feeling of simplicity or organized clutter. When decorating an interior in a fusion style, you can experiment with everything: different colors, textures, unexpected shapes of furniture. All this should be both luxurious and simple.
- Explosion of color. When decorating the same room, you can combine completely different bright colors, for example, green with pink, turquoise with red, gold with orange. However, we must not forget about the harmonious combination.
- The presence of animal print in the decoration. The homeland of the style is the Philippines, which is reflected in the decoration of the room, in particular, this concerns the presence of animalistic motifs in the decoration of the walls, floral patterns and animals in the African style.
- Use of expensive fabrics in decoration. Fusion style implies a combination of luxury and simplicity. However, only rich fabrics are allowed. These could be Persian carpets and satin pillows with floral prints.
- Knowing of limits. In no case should you overdo it with the number of decorative elements in the room. A large number of even the most stylish modern and fashionable decorative elements will harm the design and make it colorful, tacky, and tasteless.
- Everything fits together. Remember that for the fusion style there are simply no incompatible things. When decorating a room, you can use both pastel tones and bright colors, furniture of different styles, including classic and modern at the same time, wallpaper and plaster of different textures on one section of the wall. You can also use several light sources simultaneously. This includes a chandelier, floor lamps, and spot lighting for various pieces of furniture.
- Second life of antiques. The fusion style really loves it when furniture from different historical eras is located in the same room: classical and modern.
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Fusion in the interior involves the use of quotes from different styles. And this is its main feature. It suits creative and emotional people. The room should contain only those things that evoke positive emotions in the owner.
Characteristic patterns for fusion style
Interior design in fusion style is characterized by an abundance of different patterns. They calmly get along next to each other, creating a unique creative space. To emphasize the individuality of the interior, its character and freedom, the following patterns and designs are used:
- zigzags and winding lines;
- geometric motifs (diamonds, squares, circles);
- stripes and checks;
- floral and plant patterns;
- ethnic drawings;
- animal prints.
Who would suit this unusual style?
Fusion style is universal for almost all people. An artist who constantly lives in his thoughts. A clerk, tired of the routine of his everyday life. A family with active and smart children. A businessman who is always in a hurry about his business. A young girl who is just making her plans for the future. The combination of the people described is a fusion in itself. Each character described above will find something different in this design. A charm that will make them fall in love with you. The artist will feel comfortable living in a creative space. The clerk will be distracted from the grayness of the days and drown in bright colors. The family will get along calmly without feeling that someone’s interests are being infringed upon. The businessman can finally relax and stop to enjoy the simplicity and freshness. The young girl will live as if in a fairy tale that she will invent for herself.
Black room interior in fusion style
Bright room design in fusion style
The good thing about fusion style is that it suits everyone. Its freedom, brightness and character will conquer any average person. There are no boundaries, no outdated rules, no zones of space. There is a flight of fantasy and thought, there is functionality and practicality, there is comfort. You just need to feel harmony. Fusion itself is a kind of secret that is within the control of everyone who wants to live in a special place. By revealing its potential and features, you will be able to organize the room in such a way that you will feel the absolute ideal, created with your own hands.
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Finishing walls, ceilings and floors
Natural materials are mainly used for surface finishing:
- wooden board and wooden panels;
- marble, sandstone, granite, slate, limestone;
- ceramic tiles;
- glass, glass panels.
Along with these materials, modern technologies are actively used, such as self-leveling flooring with a 3-D effect, three-dimensional plaster with a pattern, gilding, hollowing, and draped panels. The proximity of these materials gives an unusual effect.
Ceiling
Fusion style involves the bold use of absolutely any materials and colors to decorate the ceiling. However, very often designers choose a plain white ceiling. The smooth plastered surface is painted with water-based paint. A simple white ceiling is a good backdrop for an unusual modern chandelier.
Along with simple design solutions, intricate ideas are also used. For example, the ceiling is combined with the roof, lined with glass panels. They not only protect the room from precipitation, let in the maximum amount of light, but also give a striking decorative effect.
A few more ideas for a fusion style ceiling:
- Stretch glossy white or colored ceiling (it reflects the interior, creating a Looking Glass effect);
- The ceiling is made of wooden panels of various sizes;
- White ceiling with wooden beams.
Floor
Most often, when choosing a floor covering, the practical side of the issue is taken into account. Wooden, laminated, parquet floors are selected for the living room and bedroom. In the bathroom and kitchen, the floors are finished with tiles or linoleum. The terrace can be laid with natural stone. In this case, the floor can be completely monochromatic.
Then it is complemented with a bright runner, carpet or skin. Or it can be artistically decorated (self-leveling flooring with a pattern, artistic parquet or mosaic). In this case, it is not covered with anything, allowing guests to admire the interior miracle.
Walls
To decorate the walls, several different techniques and materials are chosen at once. It’s good if you can harmoniously combine a smooth painted surface with brickwork, wooden panels with mosaic inserts, bamboo wallpaper with white smooth plaster. Walls are a space for creativity and self-expression.
They are supplemented with fabric draperies, paintings by famous artists, objects of mass art (posters, posters or comics), mirrors, and framed photographs. At the same time, it is important not to forget about the red thread of national color, which should run through the interior, enriching it.
What elements of fusion style do you need to know about and what do experts advise?
- In order for your apartment to look exactly in the fusion style, and not as a space that no one understands, so that on occasion you can show off your unique apartment, and at the same time, your imagination, in front of your comrades and colleagues, you should know the following:
- Before you start work, think carefully about what you want to get as a result;
- Harmony must be in everything; the presence of harmony is unconditional for the fusion style;
- The fusion style predetermines the unlimited flight of your imagination, but... still, no one can help you realize it better than a fusion specialist. Involving a specialist will eliminate the risk of disturbing the harmony of space;
- Materials, things, and plants that are contrasting in appearance, properties, and colors are used;
- Mandatory adherence to a harmonious color scheme. The presence of white is mandatory; it may predominate over other colors. The color scheme should not cause a feeling of concern or anxiety. Must be consistent with the purpose of the premises;
- Decorating an entire apartment in a fusion style can be expensive, but using a room for this purpose may be within your means;
- Despite your rich imagination and outrageousness, it would be nice for you to see how other proponents of the fusion style did it
Sleeping area
Requires a special approach to its design in fusion style. The use of contrasting colors, with the obligatory presence of white, creates a calming environment, which should be characteristic of the bedroom.
An excellent addition to the color scheme would be a fireplace, no matter whether it’s wood-burning or electric, but still its presence always creates peace in the surrounding space
In the bedroom, white color is present only in bedding. Walls and floors should also have contrasting colors, but their color scheme should not be aggressive. The presence in the bedroom of some avant-garde item, especially a painting, or a rug in the form of the skin of some animal, will be a good addition to the above listed elements.
Living room
The best room to demonstrate to your friends and acquaintances the uniqueness of your apartment and the subtlety of your perception of the world around you. Characteristically, the surfaces have different levels. Protruding planes can be on the floor, walls, ceiling. This not only gives the room a special, unique look, but also helps hide some of the imperfections in your room that were inherited from previous owners or other vintage styles.
It is popular to decorate walls that are directly opposite in appearance and properties, with plasterboard and cut stone, wallpaper, panels and facing tiles.
If conditions allow, then it is possible that representatives of the flora of different countries and continents of the planet will be present in it, and even at the exit from it. Exotic plants, combined with local flora, give a special flavor to the surrounding space.
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Study
It uses the same elements of the fusion style: contrast of colors, the obligatory presence of white, design of walls from materials of different appearance and properties, except stone. But there should still be a more ascetic atmosphere here. Nothing should distract from work. Only what is necessary. Antiques are not excluded. Due to limited space (usually a small room is used as an office), different levels of surfaces will be unnecessary.
Very often, fusion style apartments combine the present, past and future. The past is presented in the form of all kinds of antiques or things made to look antique: furniture, lamps, dishes, figurines, paintings, etc.
At the same time, it is important that things belong to different peoples and cultures. Thus, there seems to be a connection between times
The future is usually present in the form of extravagant products, such as lamps.
Unusually executed paintings, designs, figures are also elements of the future.
A natural interest in the culture of different peoples of the planet is reflected in the fusion style. Unity with other peoples and cultures is expressed in the presence of things, products, works of art of these peoples or made by contemporaries in the manner of these peoples.
By deciding to use the fusion style in your apartment, you will undoubtedly get an unusual and comfortable corner of your own, where you can take a break from your everyday routine in complete harmony with the world around you.
Lighting organization
When designing an interior design in a fusion style, the designer especially highlights the theme of lighting. With its help, an ordinary room can be turned into a cinema pavilion or a disco hall. Light is used not for general illumination of the environment, but to highlight specific elements, to create a light show within an ordinary residential apartment. To illuminate a large living room, of course, you can choose a central chandelier. Most often they give preference to modern models with an interesting design. But at the same time, they are thinking about spot lighting of individual decorative elements.
Tip: Place some directional lights directly in the floor area. Directional light coming from below will create the effect of spotlights.
The following lighting devices are used:
- Table lamps;
- Bi-directional sconces;
- Rotating lamps;
- Spot lighting;
- Pendant lamps;
- Floor lamps;
- Hidden halogen lighting;
- Directional lamps.
An important fact is that you do not need to specifically select all lighting fixtures from one collection, paying attention to their shape and material of manufacture. Fusion allows for a variety of shapes, colors and textures.
Use of textiles
Textile design is also subject to the use of the main rule - no rules. That is, when decorating a bedroom or living room, you can safely combine translucent and heavy textured fabrics and place several types of different pillows nearby. Fusion recognizes multi-layering, layering of different patterns, colorful fabrics, drapery. It is not necessary to stick to one patterned line when decorating a room. Fusion allows for the juxtaposition of geometric and floral themes in combination with national symbols.
Selection of furniture
A fusion style living room does not require a furniture set or set. To create the atmosphere, items from different collections and eras are suitable. A glass table in the Art Nouveau style will fit perfectly next to a classic sofa, and two completely different armchairs or an unusual sofa can be placed near the fireplace.
For the kitchen, you can use this idea - place 4 - 6 completely different chairs at the dining table. Even though pieces of furniture may differ in color, texture and style, they should still have one common detail. For example, chrome legs or leather inserts, or a patterned print.
Tip: do not clutter the space with unnecessary furniture. Fusion promotes freedom, so the room should have as much free space as possible.
Accessories and decor
When choosing decorative decorations for the interior of an apartment in the fusion style, it is important to express your own self through the prism of a variety of objects. They should reflect the taste of the owner of the home, his passions, preferences and favorite objects. The walls can be decorated with copies of your favorite paintings, photographs of actors, or your own photographs. Various mirrors are not hung alone, but arranged in groups. Although it is acceptable to have a large mirror in a three-dimensional frame next to a floor vase, a floor lamp and a bust in an ethnic style.
Basic rules to follow
Behind the imaginary permissiveness of the style lies a small risk of turning a creative, unpretentious atmosphere with a touch of bohemianism into tasteless chaos. This can be avoided by relying on your own sense of proportion and taste, as well as using a few rules:
Rule - #1.
It is important to remember that fusion requires a free, well-lit space. Too much furniture, decor, textiles will overload the decor and ruin the charm of mixing styles.
Rule - #2.
Bold ideas are well suited for implementation in a fusion space. A little shocking will not hurt at all for such an interior.
Rule - #3.
When mixing eras, materials and styles, do not forget about the sense of proportion and the line between high art and banal ignorance.
Basic nuances to follow
In order to prevent an original, distinctive design from turning into tasteless chaos, you need to take into account certain rules and follow them. You can’t just load the house with items you like; they must have any common basis with each other, despite the external contradiction.
The premises to create such an environment should be large. The abundance of furniture and decorations should not occupy all the free space. You can try different ideas for combining colors, shapes and textures, the main thing is to maintain moderation in everything and connect dissimilar elements with one common idea. Different textures are used in one color, opposite shapes are combined with a pattern. To create such a design, it is better to study all its features and main points, which will greatly help in further work. It must be remembered that the fusion style was invented by talented designers, and did not appear by itself. Everything in it is thought out, down to the smallest details. Don't skimp on materials and furniture. High-quality building materials will make any repair. But it’s better to use your own accessories, as well as decorative items, which carry some kind of life story behind them.
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And it doesn’t matter what the cost of these figurines or paintings is, the main thing is that they reflect the individuality, charisma and morals of the owner of the house. Then your home will have an original, creative interior, truly a miracle of creative imagination.